Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZS3
87 Imaging
32 Features
28 Overall
30
91 Imaging
32 Features
30 Overall
31
Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
- 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
- Announced August 2009
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
- Revealed May 2009
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Below is a in depth review of the Canon SX120 IS versus Panasonic ZS3, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX120 IS (10MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is fairly similar but the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and ZS3 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor sizes.
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesThe SX120 IS was released 4 months later than the ZS3 and they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple summation of how the SX120 IS grades against the ZS3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX120 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. The complete galleries are available at Canon SX120 IS Gallery and Panasonic ZS3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Panasonic ZS3
| SX120 IS | ZS3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | More precise focusing |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Canon SX120 IS
| ZS3 | SX120 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display resolution | 460k | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Panasonic ZS3
| SX120 IS | ZS3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | August 2009 | May 2009 | Similar generation | |
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display dimension | 3" | 3" | Identical display dimensions | |
| Selfie screen | Lack of selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly display | Lack of Touch friendly display |
Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison
When you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX120 IS features physical measurements of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") along with a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS3 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon SX120 IS versus Panasonic ZS3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the SX120 IS and the ZS3.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SX120 IS and ZS3 is 87 and 91 respectively.
Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, its tough to visualise the difference between sensor measurements merely by going over specs. The visual below might give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX120 IS and ZS3.
All in all, both of these cameras have got the exact same resolution but not the same sensor measurements. The SX120 IS offers the tinier sensor which is going to make getting shallower depth of field trickier.
Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Canon | Panasonic |
| Model type | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 |
| Alternative name | - | Lumix DMC-TZ7 |
| Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Announced | 2009-08-19 | 2009-05-14 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | Digic 4 | - |
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.5" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor measurements | 5.744 x 4.308mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
| Sensor area | 24.7mm² | 27.7mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 3:2 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3648 x 2736 |
| Highest native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
| Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| AF single | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Total focus points | - | 11 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 36-360mm (10.0x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
| Maximal aperture | f/2.8-4.3 | f/3.3-4.9 |
| Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 3cm |
| Crop factor | 6.3 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Display resolution | 230k dots | 460k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 60 secs |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/2500 secs | 1/2000 secs |
| Continuous shooting rate | 1.0fps | 2.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 3.00 m | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Highest flash synchronize | 1/500 secs | - |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
| Video data format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD Lite |
| Microphone port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 285 gr (0.63 pounds) | 229 gr (0.50 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery ID | 2 x AA | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Retail price | $249 | $200 |